For three years, senior quarterback Kevin Davidson and senior receiver Andrew Griffin were stuck in backup roles for Princeton football.
It’s taken just two games as starters for the pair to etch their names in the school record book. Davidson broke a Princeton single-game record with seven touchdown passes, and Griffin tied a Princeton record with four touchdown receptions, as No. 23 Princeton (2–0) routed Bucknell (0–4) 56–23 on the road.
Bucknell entered Saturday winless in its first three games, but managed to score the first points of the game on a nine-yard touchdown pass. After that, Princeton’s offense started to dominate. Davidson threw his first touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Andre Iosivas with 2:36 remaining in the first quarter, and Princeton took a 14–7 lead on a 57-yard pass to Griffin two minutes into the second.
Bucknell evened the game in the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown rush after completing a 54-yard pass earlier in the drive, but Princeton responded with two more passing touchdowns late in the half. First, Davidson hit Griffin on a 27-yard pass for the pair’s second touchdown of the day. Then, after junior defensive back Sultaan Shabazz intercepted a Bucknell pass, Davidson found junior receiver Jacob Birmelin for a 12-yard touchdown with one minute remaining in the quarter, giving Princeton a 28–14 lead.
Just 33 seconds into the third quarter, Davidson hit Griffin on a 59-yard bomb for the pair’s third touchdown connection on the day and Davidson’s fifth touchdown, and Princeton took a commanding 35–14 lead.
Bucknell kicked a field goal later in the quarter, but Princeton continued to add points as Davidson racked up his sixth and seventh touchdowns of the day. With 7:33 remaining in the third quarter, Davidson threw his second touchdown pass to Iosivas. With 10:23 remaining in the fourth, Davidson threw a touchdown to Griffin for the fourth time, as Davidson and Griffin broke and tied the school records for touchdown passes and touchdown receptions, respectively.
Princeton’s eighth and final touchdown was the only one not coming from Davidson’s arm, as senior quarterback Zach Keller scored on a one-yard rush.
Davidson finished 29 of 37 for 381 yards and seven touchdowns, and Griffin finished with nine receptions for 200 yards and four touchdowns. Junior running back Colin Eaddy and senior running back Ryan Quigley combined for 147 yards on 19 rushing attempts.
While the Princeton offense stole the show with its historic production, the Princeton defense was stout for most of the game as well. They allowed 271 passing yards but intercepted two passes, with Shabazz and first-year defensive lineman James Stagg both recording their first career interceptions. Senior defensive back T.J. Floyd and junior linebacker James Johnson led Princeton in tackles with nine apiece.
Princeton will return home Saturday for its Ivy League opener against Columbia.
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